The National Post reports that while the meaning behind the day has changed over time, the underlying premise remains the same: "women deserve the same rights and opportunities as men" -- an idea that may seem like common sense, but which continues to be challenged around the world.

To honor the holiday, Google created a simple, colorful doodle which transforms the "G" into a female gender symbol, the second "O" into a yellow flower and replaces the logo's regular blue with purple.

The Washington Post reports that that according to the U.N., the overarching theme of the holiday, which is being honored in over 250 official celebrations in the U.S. alone, is "Empower Rural Women -- End Hunger and Poverty."